He cannot tell a lie

I am not against fast food, its just that if I want a hamburger we (okay, Glen) makes better ones at home. I don't deprive the kids fast food but would prefer something healthier and Glen takes them more then I do - so they get their share of it. I have had talks with Seth because whenever we head up the hill the last thing we see are the "Golden Arches" and he always asks to stop and I say "we are almost home we can eat something more healthy there, you can't eat at Mcdonalds all the time its not healthy". Oh, the bad mom that disappoints the child. He gets over it. Well, Glen had to hustle home and take the kids to hockey and here is the conversation I had with Seth when i got home and noticed they had stopped by some place:

mom: Seth did you go to Mcdonalds?
Seth: oh, no mom (as if he was in trouble and said the right thing tone)
Mom: Then what's that? (pointing to the take out bag)
Seth: Oh, we went to Carls Jr.

Like that is any better - actually, the famous star burger and a milkshake is really good.

go ahead, make my day

So here I am on my first day of shooting Walther. Lil sis's boyfriend Ben was full of instructions that I paid attention to. At the end of the session I learned I need more sessions. In his words, "I baby the gun". And yes, I hit my target - but I also broke 4 nails and blisterd my thumb but I will return.

Not Normal

This is a bit wrong, we should not be seeing the deck free of snow until March. I am not falling for it because as I learned last year you just can't think its over until its over. We still have the rest of January and February to get through and don't forget the Iditarod in March. Last week at this time we were going through a cold snap - not as cold as the interior or on the peninsula - but cold and with a negative in front of the temp, this past week the winds picked up and so did the temps - today it is 39 and all the snow is either melted down or icey. Just to show you how windy it got take a look at this:

Not really sure how we are going to get that back up!!!!
I am listening to Seth tell Pops about the fort and he says, "it blewed over from the very windy wind, can you believe that?"

Bling

All his life Seth has been surrounded by girls, the poor guy, his cousins in town are girls and up until recently the neighbors have all been girls. Something tells me too that I am raising a charmer and this will never change - it could be that he is a chip off the old block of the Aasland men.

Well, I have to tell you the story of this necklace.

The night before we got it, Seth and I were in one of the MANY stores at the Magic Kingdom and Seth had seen a dark blue plastic ring with the outline of Mickey in rinestones - Seth has always liked shiny things and also rings so this was a blend of his 2 favorite things - but the ring was $6 and I was not about to spend that on THAT. I also said that it was kind of girly and maybe there was a Skeleton ring from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride - trying in my best motherly way to sway him away from girly bling.

IT WORKED.

Then the next day we were in another store of MANY and he comes up to me and says

"mom, there's something I want to show you" - in kid language every parent knows this means they want us to buy them something. I looked at BIL Tim and he said "he wants something" and so I went along to see what the kid wanted. He brought me to the jewelry stand and pointed at this necklace and the talk went like this:

Seth: "isn't this pretty?"
Mom: "yes, it is but is also kinda girly for you"
Seth: "oh, I know I was thinking of buying it for you because it is pretty and I think you would like it"
Mom: fuzzy feeling and melting, and speechless - or maybe soaking up the moment.
Seth: "I will buy it with my card" (the room card that is also your park pass, resort id, but most importantly a room charge key much like a credit card)

So with that, he proudly marched over to the counter and bought his first piece of jewelry for a girl - FOR ME!!!!!! he even signed the receipt then turned around and said I could put it on now and so I did.

Once on, he asks "can I keep the black case?" (Seth has also always loved little boxes) I said yes and I look over at BIL Tim who is laughing and says "see, he just wanted the case"

I Believe

I Believe

I believe that the sun shines after the rain

I believe if you don't get hurt you'll never gain

I believe in not doing things the easy way

I believe that being selfish doesn’t pay

I believe in a second chance

I believe in a life long romance

I believe there is life after death

And standing up to a life of mess

I believe in love at first sight

I believe that revenge isn’t right

I believe that first impressions last

And there is nothing better then a good laugh

I believe that dreams do come true

I believe there's destiny for me and you

I believe that good things come to those who wait

I believe love never arrives too late

I believe something good comes from something bad

I believe that for tears of happiness there are tears of sad

I believe everyone has a guardian angel

And the good you do will be rewarded well

I believe sometimes there is no explanation

I believe money can't buy people's affection

I believe you don't know what you've got until it's gone

I believe a new day arrives with every dawn

I believe a smile can be contagious

I believe in being very outrageous

I believe in living with no regretsI

believe that life is as good as it gets

I believe that God watches over us

I believe the little things are worth the fuss

I believe you have each friend for a reason

I believe you will get punished for treason

I believe that what comes first is family

I believe we should all live in harmony

I believe in making the most of a beautiful day

And it's not the end until everything's okay

I believe absence makes the heart grow fonder

I believe you will lose if you sit and wonder

I believe every experience teaches you a lesson

And nothing cures better then a drinking session

I believe everyone has one true love

I believe sometimes we need a little shove

I believe the whole world is a stage

I believe we only get better with age

I believe that to learn you have to live

I believe that to love someone you have to give

I believe one moment can change your life

And there's still help when you’re in strife

I believe everyone has one true friend

I believe love helps a broken heart mend

I believe in the power of a song

And things will change before too long

I believe living is the best experience

I believe in not laughing at other people’s expense (sometimes)

I believe it’s hard to watch a lover leave

And when they’re gone all you can do is breath

I believe to always look on the bright side

I believe that life is just one big ride

I believe when I die people will grieve

But it’s ok because

I believe

Kayla Neil